Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-30
Countess narOna.
By WILLIE COLLINS.
THE FIRST PART.
CHAPTER XIX.

OF the rising moon
without being aware of it himself, he was
n thorough materialist The strange effect
nroduced on him by the room-foilowing on
The other strange effects produced on the
other relatives Of his dead brothef-exereised
no perplexing influence over the mind OF this
sansible man Perhaps" he reflected, my
tamnarament is more imaginative than sup
nosei it to be, and this is trick played on
ma by nv own fancy. Or, perhaps, my
friend is right; something is physically amiss
with me. don't feel i'll, certainly; but that
is no safe criterion sometimes l am not
going TO sleep in that abominable room to-
night. can well wait till tomorrow to de-
eide whether shall speak to doctor or not
In the meantime, the hotel doesn't seem likely
tosupply me with the subject of piece. A
terrible smell from an invisible ghost is per-
factlv new idea. But it has one drawback.
If realize it on the stage | shall drive the
audience out Of the theatre"
As his strong common sense arrived at this
facetious conclusion lie became aware of
lady, dressed entirely in black, who was OBJ
serving him with marked attention. Am
right in surprising You to be MIR. Francis
WestyjcLg" the lady asked at the moment
when he looked at her.
THAT is my name, madame May l in
ouire to whom have the honor Of speakingF'
"We have only met once" she answered, a
little evasively, when your late brother in
troduced me TO the members of his family.
| wonder if you have quite forgotten my big
black ewes and my bideous complexonr
She lifted her veil as she spoke, and turned
so that the moonlight rested on her face.
Francis recognized at a glance the woman
of all Others whom he most cordially disliked,
the widow OF his dead brother, the first Lord
Montbarry. He frowned as he looked at her.
His experience on the stage, gathered at in
Vulnerable rehearsals with actresses who had
sorely tried his temper, had accustomed him
to speak roughly to women who were dis
tasteful to him Il remember YOU he said.
IL thought you were in America"
She took no notice of bis ungracious tone
and manner; she simply stopped him when
he lifted his hat and turned to leave her.
LET me walk with you few minutes she
quietly replied. Il have something to say to
you."
He showed her his cigar, Il am smoking"
he said
Il don't mind smoking
After that there was nothing 10 be done
short Of downright brutality but to yield.
He did it with the worst possible grace
WEI be resumed. What do you want
Of mer
"You shall hear directly, Mr.. Westwick.
Let me first tell you what my position is /
am alone in the world To the loss of my
husband has now been added another be
reavement-the loss OF my companion in
America, my brother Baron Rivar."
The reputation of the baron and the doubt
which scandal had thrown on his assumed
relationship to the countess were well known
to Francis. "Shot in a gambling saloonn be
asked, brutally
"The question is perfectly natural one on
your part she said, with the impenetrably
ironical manner which she could assume on
certain occasions "As a native Of horse
racing England, you belong to a nation OF
gamblers My brother died no extraordi
nary death, Mr. Westwick. He sunk with
many other unfortunate people, under 8
fever prevalent in a western city which We
happened to visit. The calamity OF his loss
made the United States uncomfortable fol
me- | left by the first steamer that sailed
from New York--a French vessel, which
brought me TO Havre. l continued my
lonely journey to the south of France And
then | went on to Venice"
"What does all this matter to me!T Franci,
thought to himself. She paused, evidently
expecting him to say something. $50 yol
have come 10 Nenire27 he said, carelessly
"Whylp
Because couldn't help it, >" she answered
Francis looked at her with cynical curiosity
"That sounds odd" he remarked "Why
couldn't you help itf7
women are accustomed to act on impulse
she explained Suppose we say that all i'm
pulse has directed my iourneyi And yet
this is the last place in the world that | wis
To find myself in. Associations that | detes
are connected with it in my mind !
had a will of my own | would neve
see It again. l hate Venice. A
you See however, | am here When di,
you meet with such an unreasonable woman
beforel Never, | am surelH She stopped
eyed him for a moment, and suddenly alters
hsr tone. When is Miss Agnes Lockwoo'
expected to he in Venicen
balance. but that extraordinary question d
it. slow the devil did you know that Mis-
Lockwood was coming to Venicel" he ex
claimed.
She laughed-a bitter, mocking laugh
"Say guessed it."
Something in her tone, or perhaps something
in the audacious defiance of her eyes as the
rested on him, reused the quick temper tha
was in Francis Westwick lady Mont
barry -" he began.
"Stop therel she interposed. "You
brother Stephens wife calls herself Lad
Montbarry now. | share my title with n
woman. Call me by my name before l CON
mitted the fatal mistake Of marrying yOu
brother. Address me, if you please, q
Countess Narona"
"Countess Narona," Francis resumed. a
your object in Ginning my acquaintance
to mystify me, you have come to the wron
man. Speak plainly, or permit me to wis
you good evening"
'If your object is to keep Miss Lockwood
arrival in Venice a secret" she retorted
speak plaisly, Mr. Westwick. on your sid
and say so"
Her intention was evidently to irritate hin
and she succeeded. NONSENSE" he brok
out, petulantly "My brothers travelling al
rangements are secrets to nobody. He bring
Miss lockwood here with Lady Montbarr
and the children. As you seem so well il
formed, perhaps you know why she is comm
to VeniceF
The countess had suddenly become grav
and thoughtful She made no reply. Tt
two strangely associated companions, bavin
reached one extremity Of the square, wei
now standing before the church of st. Mari
The moonlight was bright enough to show IL
architecture Of the grand cathedral in i
wonderful variety Of detail. Even IL
pigeons of St Mark were visible, In darl
closely packed rows roosting in the arcl
ways Of the great entrance doors.
Il never saw the old church look so beaut
full by moonlight the countess said, quietl,
Speaking, not to Francis, but to hersel
"Goodby, St Marks by moonlight! sha
not see you again"
96 1N
5(l5;(|||||I /
8 AR1||EIE1l|Ia|!|l